The Oyster Project is dedicated to oyster restoration in the estuaries of Massachusetts. Oyster reefs provide shelter for 100 other species including shrimp, eels, lobsters and the young of many commercial species. Oysters also are tremendous water cleaners as each filters 30 gallons of water per day.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Big Rock Oyster Farm Tour

Great Time had by All at the Big Rock Oyster Farm Tour with MOP
VIP Guest blogger- Sarah Barsamian

After reading Erin Byers
Murray's account of daily life working on an oyster farm, I have been
intrigued to see what it all might actually look like. Today couldn't
have been a more perfect day to have a meet and greet with those
delicious little bivalves out in Dennis.

Jesse, Josh and son Henry on the way in. Photo Credit Sarah Barsamian

The farm from a distance. Photo Credit Sarah Barsamian

The tour began with an open air jungle safari....minus the
animals.......and the jungle.....Ok, well we were in the bed of farmer
Aaron's pickup, winding through the dunes and sand down to the beach.
But it felt like a safari. And we were on the hunt for oysters! As a
regular beach-goer/lover, I had never seen a beach quite like where we
were today. It seemed like instead of a towel and rolling cooler, beach
bums cruised in-literally-to the beach with their Jeep Wranglers, Chevy
pick-ups or even their Honda sedans! Cars at the beach....that was a
first for me!

The farm. Photo Credit Sarah Barsamian

As we came down the dune path onto the flat stretch of low tide
beach, we saw hundreds of the oyster houses (I think the actual term is a
rack, but it is more fun to call them oyster houses) and our small
party of 30 gathered around. Farmers Aaron and Eric happily answered
our questions about the farm and about oysters while MOP volunteer (and
oyster aficionado) Josh Hoch shucked oysters straight from the racks for
tour goers to slurp down. I witnessed a few kids try their first raw
oyster ever. Gotta give them props! And when I had snapped a few dozen
photos (a little hobby of mine), I had my chance to try an oyster. I
have to say that I have had a good share of oysters-whether it has been
at home or out at a restaurant-raw, grilled, in a shooter, topped with a
myriad of tasty things-and they all have been quite delicious. But to
be able to enjoy one straight from the farm, on a perfect August day,
practically right out of the hands of the farmers who have worked
tirelessly to raise them from seed-brings with it a whole new level of
appreciation.

I had the chance to ask Aaron a few questions about the farm and learned a few nuggets of knowledge:

-for
only $25 a year, anyone who lives in Dennis can farm their own
oysters!!!! Well, if you are lucky enough to get through the wait list,
and if after the many years of waiting, you happen to have say,
$250,000 worth of equipment at your disposal-then yes, you too can be an
oyster farmer. Personally, I would rather leave it to farmers Aaron
and Eric, especially because I have a notoriously black thumb.

-the farmers and their workers often get out to the farm at the wee
hours of the morning to harvest oysters, deliver them to restaurants in
Boston (like Legal Seafoods!) and be done in time to go to another job!
That is a lot of dedication and love right there!

-It takes 3 years for an oyster to grow from seed to appropriate
harvest size. We had the chance to see some small oysters that had
rapidly increased in size from seed in February to about the size of a
quarter! Those oysters must be eating their spinach!

Oysters in their first and third years. Photo Credit Sarah Barsamian

-The farmers take all the oysters out of the water and store them
inside during Winter because the beach freezes over and the oysters
would die. Farmer Aaron said this process is his least favorite week of
the year. I should say!

All in all, today was an awesome day! Lots of people came out and
learned about oyster farming and also a little about the wonderful
things that the Mass Oyster Project is doing. My husband and I always
have a great time at MOP events and we are looking forward to the next
event in Plymouth (beer and oysters? Yes please!!!).

Eat me at the October 6 MOP event at Mayflower Brewery- Big Rock will be supplying the oysters. Photo Credit Sarah Barsamian

I have only one other little tidbit for you oyster fans out there. Don't shuck without protection! Trust me.

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About the Mass Oyster Project for Clean Water

MOP is a 501c-3 non-profit dedicated to restoring water-cleansing oysters to Boston Harbor after their being absent for decades. Each oyster can filter 30 gallons of water per day. An oyster reef can shelter up to 100 other species so they dramatically add to biodiversity. Oysters also sequester nitrogen in wastewater and each person creates 12 pounds per year. Oyster shells contain calcium carbonate a known buffer that can help offset ocean acidification. MOP has shown that oysters can survive and grow in Boston Harbor. The group is now seeking to optimize placements to maximize survival and eventually show reproduction. Come join us in making your Harbor healthier!